Random thoughts...

Every time I hear the National Anthem at a ball game I always sing every word of that song in my head to myself. I put my hand over my heart and really think about how good we have it here in the USA. Every single time.

I wonder whatever happened to expectations, standards and morals. Meaning what ever happened to parents who taught their kids the above things. Someone was talking the other day about rewarding their kids when they got a good report card. Growing up my parents expected As--didn't always get them--in fact I was a B kind of girl...but I knew they expected good grades. And as a parent myself I never give my kids more than a "good job--keep up the good work". If we pay/reward them for good work--they will come to expect that in my opinion. I see students every day who have no concept of working hard for something for the sake of pride. Most of them have no pride/ feeling of self worth whatsoever because they are doing stuff to be rewarded by their parents not because they want to do well for themselves. The more we give the more they want. And I'm not saying that my kids aren't spoiled--because frankly they are, but they don't get money for their report cards, they get allowance for helping with family chores which they use to buy stuff for themselves and they don't get everything they want everytime they ask us for something.

ADM is getting rid of 1000 employees. In the corporate area...that means Doug may be affected. OMG--I finally have my dream house and my dream job---what if we have to move? THen we move--no questions asked--because family comes first and we go where he goes. I can't believe how after 21 years how completely in love I still am with this man. I would follow him anywhere because he is my better half. I've been with him over half my life now--and can't wait for the rest of it with him.

My daughter is so normal and level headed at 16. Wish I was like that back when I was her age. My God, she is going to be the most unbelievable mother and wife and friend.

My son is so freaking funny and trying both at the same time. He pushes me to the limit every day and I see so much of my bull headed self in him. It will be a miracle if we don't end up at each other's throat before he leaves for college. I can't wait to see where he will end up in life. I don't see how he can be so organized with certain things and such a mess in others.

It's hard to believe that this year I will be 42. Holy crap--time is flying fast and most days I just want it to slow down so I can savor it all.

One little word...

I thought and thought and thought on this one. Here was my initial brainstorm:

• honesty


• discipline


• light


• less


• chill


• thoughtful


• change


• freedom


• simple


• relax


• reflection


• order


• reduce *


• transform *


• consider *


• confident


• genuine


• prepare **


• mindful **


• aware


• sincere


• true


• intentional **


• reduce


• control

The one * words are words I initially pondered. Then I looked up other words similar to them in the thesaurus and found the ones that have two *. Those were the ones that were in my final brainstorm and those were the ones I was going to have to decide between. I went to Ali Edwards' blog to see what other people had chosen and the word ENOUGH jumped right out at me. I figured it spoke so loudly to me because it goes so well with the other words I have chosen in the past: 2010 was SIMPLIFY and 2011 was LESS. Enough is perfect for me.

This is what I wrote to my girlfriend when I emailed her about my choice this year.

ok…my one little word for this year is ENOUGH.

Enough spending mindlessly.

Enough eating indiscriminately.

Enough stuff.

Enough putting things off.

Enough putting up with crap.

Enough with the lazy ass person I call myself.

Enough saying that I want to know Him more.

Enough is enough---it’s time for action.

Another new year..

Resolutions:

• Lose 15# again this year by going to Weight Watchers weekly.


• Only shop for myself with my own spending money--not out of family budget


• Only buy 1 purse this year


• Get caught up on Kate's school album--you know she graduates next year right?


• Move more--@ least 15 minutes 5 times a week


• Be closer to God--I bought the one year Bible and I'm going to read before bed.


• Develop all my pictures from the last 2-3 years.

Simplified:

• Think things through


• Plan ahead


• Choose wisely


• Spend smartly


• Want Less


• Move more

Still to do in January:

1. Put away Christmas


2. Organize Paper closet


3. Clean out junk drawer


4. Figure out one little word


5. Find ways to organize bills, pay off debt, and manage paper clutter that lands on table.


6. organize freezers and clean out fridge


7. Linen closet organized